About
Cas Burns (they/them) is a Boston-based dance artist (MFA) and human factors engineer (MS, AHFP). Their creative and technical work alike interrogates the relationship between human and computer, playing to the unique strengths of each to build integrated systems that are greater than the sum of their parts. Their approach to HCI is informed by both their interdisciplinary background as well as their queer identity.
Cas holds an MFA in Choreography & Performance (2018) from SUNY Brockport, where their written and choreographic research focused on dancer experience and agency in live multi-media performance. As a choreographer, Cas works collaboratively with their dancers to develop movement material that relates to, interacts with, and/or contrasts various technological elements, ranging from livestream video projections to wearable sensors. They have presented their work throughout the Northeast, including in cities such as Cambridge, MA; Rochester and Brooklyn, NY; and Detroit, MI. A firm believer in the importance of arts education, Cas has served on faculty at SUNY Brockport and Wells College and later as a director-level administrator at Urbanity Dance, where they championed the nonprofit’s Access for All youth scholarship program. Currently, they call Common Ground in Beverly, MA, their dance home.
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Cas also holds an MS in Human Factors Engineering (2024) and a BS in Mathematics (2015) from Tufts University. While pursuing the former, they focused their research on inclusive design and the human factors of data science/AI. Through their graduate studies, they were able to work on a wide variety of projects across numerous fields, including a mobile application to facilitate public transit use, an interactive chatbot doll to support spoken language development, and a machine learning algorithm to predict decision-making in subterranean navigation. Upon graduation, they began applying their human factors expertise to the healthcare industry. Currently, they are a Senior Human Factors Consultant for Warwick Consulting, where they support clients in taking a human-centered approach to the development of safe and effective medical products, including health software and AI-supported medical devices.
Despite the seemingly-stark difference between the performing arts and engineering, Cas sees an exciting through-line between their interest in each, tied together by a human-first approach to HCI. They believe these disparate experiences and perspectives have made them both a better artist and a better engineer.